Beginnings (Sommerfeld Trilogy #2)

Kim Vogel Sawyer
Barbour Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9781597894050
Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (8/07)


Bloom where you are planted! There are plenty of Scripture passages which speak of being content in whatever circumstance you are in. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we are told to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Oh, how hard that can be at times. Sometimes we just feel so challenged that we don't feel like giving thanks for our place in life.

Beth Quinn is trying to be content with her life in Sommerfeld. She has her cell phone and other modern conveniences. She and her mother came to Sommerfeld because this is where her mother's family was. Despite not being raised in the Mennonite faith like her mother was, she has come to call Sommerfeld her home. And her mother's people have become her people. She has not joined their church but does attend it with her family. She has a firmly-rooted faith in God and His promises.

She owns Quinn's Stained Glass Art Studio. She makes suncatchers and travels to various craft shows. She has dreams of opening her own showroom someday. Her cousin Andrew helps in her store since he has no desire to be a farmer like all his brothers and father. He would rather use his artistic talents even though his father doesn't agree with his pursuits. One day a suncatcher from the art studio gets sold and catches the eye of McCauley Church Construction.

Sean is the son of the owner of the church construction company who has to find this talented, young lady. He proposes that she design and make a stained-glass window in order to showcase her talents. If the company likes what they see and she meets the deadline imposed, she will be granted a contract to work with them. If, for any reason, she doesn't make the deadline, or McCauley's dislike the work, all the work and expense are for nothing and Beth loses out. This could be Beth's big break into expanding her business and becoming a bigger success.

In order to put up a safety net for her business, she wants to keep on producing suncatchers and doing craft shows; however, creation of this large-stained glass window will take an incredible amount of time and talent. Andrew is always willing to lend a hand. He also happens to enjoy being in Beth's company. Would it ever be possible for Beth to think of him as something other than a cousin or an employee?

Beth's mother Marie has found true love in the first book of this trilogy “Bygones.” Henry and Marie Koeppler are happy to be expecting twins. With Marie's age, this is a high-risk pregnancy.  Never did Beth think that she would become a big sister at her age. Beth doesn't know what it is like to even have a father much less a brother and sister.

An emergency forces Beth to make a choice between her family and her dreams of being a successful businesswoman. Her choices will not only impact her but also Andrew and the rest of the small town of Sommerfeld. Through her struggles, she holds steady to the verse in Philippians which states “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

“Beginnings” is an excellent book about a courageous Christian woman who lays it all on the line in hopes of following God's plan for her life. All things work together for the good of those who love Him.  I simply loved this book and couldn't lay it down once I started reading it. I am anxiously awaiting the last book in this trilogy called “Blessings” which will be coming in Spring 2008!

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